Fake artifacts: A trap to sell two copper coins worth Tk 80 at Tk 5cr

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Fake artifacts: A trap to sell two copper coins worth Tk 80 at Tk 5cr

Shawdesh desk:

Police arrested some members of a gang along with a so-called “chemist” for exploiting people in the name of selling rare “archaeological” coins and earning crores of taka.

The arrestees had been engaged in selling coins made of copper worth Tk 80 each since long.

Detective Branch (DB) of Police arrested three brokers and a chemist from capital Dhaka and another associate from Savar on Friday. Police also seized 42 coins from their possession.

The law enforcers also recovered Tk 11 lakh from a bush in Manikganj which the gang earned by exploiting people.

The gang tried to market simple coins targeting numismatists and other affluent people.

A complaint registered by an aggrieved person prompted the law enforcers to launch the drive and open Pandora’s box.

Quoting arrestees, police said the gang was divided into two groups, one buyer and the other seller. The buyer exhibited some coins to the seller opening a packet. The so-called chemist examined the coins with a magnifying glass and certified that two of the coins were genuine. They claimed that the coins are 400 years old. That time, attention of a real buyer was drawn to the incident. He agreed to buy two coins at Tk 5 crore. He paid Tk 40 lakh advance on the price. Later, the buyer went to a fixed place to meet the buyer with remaining money but stumbled. He found none of the seller and chemist present there. Finally, he registered a complaint with police. He also said the gang entered into an agreement with him on the stamp to make the transaction credible.

During interrogation, the gang members admitted that the coins are not artifacts at all and they collect those from Gulistan.

DB Deputy Commissioner Md Moshiur Rahman said the coins are made of copper inscribed with East India Company. The gang members buy the coins at Tk 40-50. They go to five star hotels and create artificial atmosphere to exploit rich people.

Joint Commissioner of Detective Branch Harun Or Rashid said the gangs are active in various places and people should be aware of.